7.013 Introductory Biology

As taught in: Spring 2006

Frontal view of a tailbud stage of Xenopus as the mouth is forming. (Image courtesy of Dr. Amanda Dickinson. Used with permission.)

Level:

Undergraduate

Instructors:

Prof. Hazel Sive

Prof. Tyler Jacks

Course Highlights

Education development efforts for these introductory biology courses are one of many activities conducted by the HHMI Education Group at MIT. This group focuses on curriculum development work for creating teaching tools in undergraduate biology courses.

Course Description

The MIT Biology Department core courses, 7.012, 7.013, and 7.014, all cover the same core material, which includes the fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material.

7.013 focuses on the application of the fundamental principles toward an understanding of human biology. Topics include genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, disease (infectious agents, inherited diseases and cancer), developmental biology, neurobiology and evolution.

Acknowledgments

The study materials, problem sets, and quiz materials used during Spring 2005 for 7.013 include contributions from past instructors, teaching assistants, and other members of the MIT Biology Department affiliated with course 7.013. Since the following works have evolved over a period of many years, no single source can be attributed.